Charmed Circle

you're faint of heart, perhaps this wouldn't be for you. However, I believed R.Pilcher's recommendation was good enough for me, especially (considering) her sense of reality in each of her novels. Real life isn't always rosey, and bizarre occurrences happen to the best families. I'm not usually stumped, but Ms. Whitnell had me rapidly tearing through this book in order to find out... "who-done-it"... ! If you like stories about young people growing up in England and accept there are some harsh realities to contend with, you'll enjoy this interesting story!

This is the first book of Ms. Whitnell's that I've read, but it won't be the last. I took it with me on vacation and absolutely devoured it. I am rarely surprised at endings, but Ms. Whitnell managed to do just that, even as she was spinning a wonderful tale. I highly recommend it.

Even though I read this book a few years ago I have never forgotten the story or the characters. A gentle book and yet a real page turner with a shocking surprise at the end!! I never guessed the final outcome. It is a shame that I find the authors books so hard to come across!!

Barbara Whitnell's writing style is a combination of Rosamunde Pilcher and Mary Higgins Clark. Charmed Circle, set in England offers a bit of a mystery, or a question to be answered at the beginning of the book and not to by solved or answered untill the end of the book. The journey through the book is a wonderful read! I highly recommend Barbara Whitnell's books. Many are out of print so check with your local library and browse the used book stores.

I reallly enjoyed the main character Rachel and reading about her years growing up and being very much alone and wanting so desperately to be a part of her neighbors family. There are some shocking secrets but Rachel pulls through and she makes the best of her situation. There is a shocking part in the book and I could not put it down until I read the whole thing. Some of the characters are not nice and you can really feel for Rachel. A Good read.